“This is typical scaremongering from Minister Miles and the Palaszczuk Labor Government.

“The Minister is selectively quoting data from previous SLATS reports to back up his unfounded claims.

“The report used by Minister Miles in his latest attack clearly shows there was no significant escalation in vegetation management activities in Queensland following the LNPs reforms in 2013.

“Reforms introduced by the former LNP Government ensured a sensible balance of environmental protection and sustainable pasture management.

“Sadly, the Palaszczuk Labor Government are determined to demonise farmers for undertaking responsible pasture management activities.

“In a recent media release, Minister Miles also claimed the LNP peeled back administrative and compliance oversight of the Vegetation Management Act.

“This is also untrue.

“In a statement on 19 April 2012, former Minister Andrew Cripps moved to put a hold on all existing investigations, requested the department withdraw from appeals on sentences already handed down and requested a review of penalties already issued.

“In a further statement on 10 September 2012, the former LNP Government made a commitment to continue satellite monitoring and compliance activities to ensure inappropriate vegetation management practices were detected.”